Opposed jaw latch

ABSTRACT

A latch having opposed and pivoted keeper jaws for engagement with a latch bolt thrust therebetween; the jaws being pivoted about separated parallel axes or a common axis by a common pair of slide plates; the slide plates, in turn, being moved by pivotally connected lever pairs one end of each being connected to a slide plate, the other being connected to a fixed axis of rotation, and the intermediate connection between the lever pairs also being joined to an operating bar connected to similar opposed jaw latches; the keeper jaw being movable between a locked position to secure a mating latch bolt, and an open position to receive the latch bolt freely, through an intermediate position wherein the keeper jaws are yieldable to spreading thrust exerted by the keeper bolt. One form of the opposed jaw latch being operable directly by rotation at the fixed axis as well as by the operating bar.

J United States Patent [111 3,561,802

[72] Inventor James E. Brockway 1,297,284 3/1919 Wisniewski 70/70 Venice, Calif. 1,540,088 6/1925 Rasmussen..... 292/25 [21] Appl. No. 775,327 1,549,507 8/1925 Ritter H 292/25 [22] .1" Primary ExaminerMarvin A. Champion [45] Patgmd Fe Assistant Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe [73] Ass'gnee mg gfgz g AttrneyLyon and Lyon a corporation of California ABSTRACT: A latch having opposed and pivoted keeper jaws 54] OPPOSED JAW LATCH for engagement with a latch bolt thrust therebetween; the jaws 13 Claims 13 Drawing Figs. being pivoted about separated parallel axes or a common axis by a common pair of slide plates; the slide plates, in turn, [52] U.S. Cl. 292/49, bein moved by pivotally connected lever pairs one end of 292/27 each being connected to a slide plate, the other being con- [51] Int. Cl Ec 9/16, nected to a fi d axis f rotation, and the intermediate 1305c 19/12 nection between the lever pairs also being joined to an operat- [50] Field of Search 292/11, ing bar connected to similar opposed jaw latches; the keeper 7, 5- 9, 52-53, jaw being movable between a locked position to secure a mat- 1 16; 24/211014) ing latch bolt, and an open position to receive the latch bolt 2301), 490)) 260; 70/19 freely, through an intermediate position wherein the keeper jaws are yieldable to spreading thrust exerted by the keeper [56] References Cited bolt. One form of the opposed jaw latch being operable UNITED STATES PATENTS directly by rotation at the fixed axis as well as by the operating 244,665 7/ 1881 Preston 292/25 bar.

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l a i 0 PATENTEU FEB 9191! SHEET 1 OF 2- INVENTOR. J4 M6 5 6- 52000144 V OPPOSED .IAW LATCH SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is related to the copending applications, Ser.

No. 673,034, filed Oct. 5, 1967, and now abandoned, entitled Opposed Jaw Latch; and Ser. No. 762,306, filed Sept. 16, 1968 The purposes of this application and the copending application are the same; however, the means of accomplishment are different. More particularly, the objects of the present invention include:

First, to provide an opposed jaw latch wherein a pair of keeper jaws pivot about the same or parallel axes and are carried between a pair of slide plates, and are caused to pivot between a closed position and an open position on reciprocation of the slide plates by reason of projections extending from the keeper jaws which engage fixed stops.

Second, to provide an opposed jaw latch wherein the slide plates are connected by lever pairs to a transversely disposed reciproeable control bar and to a pivot rotatable about a fixed axis; the pivot being capable of manual rotation so that either the pivot or the control bar may be operated to open or close the latch. I

Third, to provide an opposed jaw latch which may, if desired, be movable to a position intermediate the open or closed position in which the keeper jaws, though closed, are yieldable to a forceexerted by a latch bolt to force the keeper jaws apart.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a front view, showing one form of the opposed jaw latch.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken through 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof, taken through 3-3 of FIG. 2, and showing the latch in its closed position.

FIG. 4 is a similar view, showing the parts of the latch in an intermediate position, wherein the latch bolt may be forced into the latch.

FIG. 5 is a similar sectional view, showing the parts of the latch in their extended position, and the latch jaws in their open position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the latch, showing the opposite side from that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view, taken through 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view, similar to-FIG. 1, showing a modified fonn of the opposed jaw latch.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken immediately within the front cover in the manner of FIG. 3, showing the latch laws in their closed position.

FIG. 10 is a similar view, showing the latch jaws in their intermediate position.

FIG. 11 is a similar sectional view, showing the latch jaws in their extended or open position.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, partly in end elevation, taken through 12-12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a transverse sectional view, taken through 13-13 of FIG. 9.

Reference is first directed to the opposed jaw latch shown in FIGS. 1 through 7. The latch is contained between a pair of housing plates I, joined together by pairs of fastener pins 2 and 3. Located in an essentially central position, and extending between the plates 1, is a hub 4, having a slot 5 in one end to receive a screwdriver or other similar tool. Extending from the hub is a pair of lever arms 6, which receive therebetween a cross or control bar 7, joined thereto by a pivot pin 8.

Also joined to the pivot pin 8 is a pair of links 9, connected by a common pivot and guide pin 10, the extremities of which ride in guide slots 11, provided in the housing plates 1. Lying adjacent the housing plates 1, is a pair of slide members or plates 12, through which the guide pin 10 extends, so that as the guide pin moves in the guide slots 11, the slide members 12 are reciprocated. The slide members 12 are provided with clearance slots 13, to permit movement of the slide members relative to the hub 4. I

A pair of keeper levers 14 are mounted between the slide members 12, by means of pivot pins 15. The keeper levers extend beyond the slide members 12 and between the fastener pins 2, so as to be guided thereby. The extremities of the keeper levers are provided with opposed keeper jaws 16. The mutually outer surfaces 17 cooperate with the fastener pins 2 to permit translatory or reciprocal movement of the keeper levers 14. The keeper levers include mutually outwardly extending projections 18, which underlie the fastener pins 2 and are engaged thereby to effect pivotal movement of the keeper jaws away from each other, that is, between the position shown in FIG. 4 and the position shown in FIG. 5. Springs 19 are provided, which are wrapped around the fastenerpins 2, and bear against the keeper levers so as to urge the keeper jaws toward their closed position.

One of the housing plates 1 is provided with a leaf spring 20 which overlies the end of the hub 4 opposite from the tool slot 5. The leaf spring extends longitudinally and its extended end overlies a guide slot 11. Near this end, the leaf spring is provided with an aperture 21, dimensioned to receive a projection 22, extending from one end of the guide pin 10. Slidably mounted within the hub 4 is a release pin 23 which, when engaged by a tool inserted in the tool slot 5, presses the leaf spring 20 outward, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 2.

The keeper jaws l6 engage a latch pin or bolt 24, which terminates in a head 25, forming a retention shoulder 26. The portion of the head 25 beyond the retention shoulder is preferably tapered or conical so that it may be forced between the keeper jaws l6.

Operation of the opposed jaw latch shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 is as follows:

When the parts of the latch are in the position shown in FIG. 3, the keeper levers 14 are retracted to a closed position so as to lock the latch bolt 24 in place. The keeper levers are prevented from spreading by the fastener pins 2. The pivot pin 8 is preferably in an overcenter relation with the axis of the hub 4 and the guide pin 10; that is, the control bar 7 has been forced to the left, as viewed in FIG. 3, to its extreme position by reason of engagement of the link 9 with a pin 3. Correspondingly, the hub 4 is turned clockwise to this position. When the hub is turned counterclockwise, the control bar 7 is moved to the right, as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, causing the slide members 12 to move upwardly through the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5.

When in the intermediate position, shown in FIG. 4, the projections 18 approach contact with the fastener pins 2, and the axes of the keeper levers are so related to the axes of the fastener pins that the keeper levers may be pivoted from their closed or solid-line position to their open or dotted line position merely by the thrust of the tapered end of the latch bolt 24. When the slide members and keeper levers are moved from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, the projections 18 engage the fastener pins to hold the keeper jaws in their open position.

If it is desired to utilize the tool slot 5 for operation of the opposed jaw latch, the leaf spring or retainer 20 may be employed to secure the slide members 12 in either position shown in FIGS. 3 or 4. By inserting a tool in the slot 5, the release pin 23 engages the retainer spring 20 to move it clear of the projection 22 and the end of the guide pin 10.

It is intended that more than one opposed jaw latched be used in a particular installation; that is, one or more additional latches are operated by manipulation of the master latch.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 8 through 13. The construction here illustrated is in most respects similar to the first described structure. The essential difference is that a pivot pin 27 is substituted for the hub 4. Also, a Z-shaped guide slot 28 is substituted for the guide slot 11; that is, the guide slot 28 is provided with a laterally extending intermediate portion 29 and vertically extending end portions 30.

If desired, a common pivot pin 31 may be substituted for the pivot pins 15. In place of the leaf spring retainer, a guide pin control spring 32 is provided which includes a loop end 33, wrapped around a projection 34, extending from the pivot pin 27. The control spring includes spring fingers 35, which extend on opposite sides of the guide pin ll) so as to urge the guide pin to an intermediate position in the intermediate portion 29 of the slot 28, this being the position shown in FIG. 10. The control spring .32 is retained in place by a clip 36, folded out from the corresponding housing plate.

Operation of the structure shown in FIGS. 8 through 13 is essentially the same as the first described structure. The interaction of the fastener pins 2 and the keeper levers 14 is similar to the first described structure. The keeper levers 14 move from their retracted or closed position, shown in FIG. 9 to an intermediate position, shown in FIG. 10, in which the keeper levers are yieldable to a thrusting force exerted by the latch bolt 24. Whereas, on movement to the extreme position, shown in FIG. 11, the keeper jaws 16 are held in an open position.

As the hub 4 is omitted in the construction shown in FIGS, 8 through 13, it is intended that the opposed jaw latch be operated solely by=lateral movement of the cross or control bar 7.

In this regard, the latch shown in FIGS. 8 through 13 may be operated by a master latch, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 through 7.

While particulanembodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of the constructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and their relationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. An opposed jaw latch, comprising:

a. housing meansincluding a pair of guide elements;

b. slide means reciprocable within said housing means;

c. a pair of keeper levers having opposed keeper jaws, said keeper levers being pivotally connected to said slide means and pivotably movable by said guide elements, on reciprocation of said slide means, between a mutually open position and a manually closed position;

d. a latch bolt dimensioned to be received between and engaged by said keeper jaws; and

e. means for reciprocating said slide means, including a lever joumaled in said housing means for movement about a fixed axis, a link pivotally attached to said slide means and to said lever, and means for guiding said slide member.

2. A latch, as defined in claim 1, wherein a cross slide is attached to the pivotal connection between said lever and said link to effect rotation thereof and reciprocation of said slide means.

3. A latch, as defined in claim 1 wherein said guiding means includes a slot in said housing means and a pin extending therein from said slide means.

4. A latch, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said guiding means includes a slot in said housing means having a laterally extending midportion and a pin extending therein from said slide means, and yieldable means tending to restrain said pin in said intermediate portion; and

b. said yieldable means operable, when said slide means is in an intermediate position determined by said pin to hold said keeper jaws in their closed position, but permitting entrance of said latch bolt therebetween.

5. A latch, as defined in claim 3, wherein:

a. a retainer engages said pin to hold said slide member in a position to secure said keeper jaws in their closed position;

b. said lever is tool-engageable for rotation thereby to reciprocate said slide means; and

c. a retainer release is carried by said lever and operable, on tool engagement with said lever, to cause said retainer to free said pin. An opposed jaw latch, comprising: a pair of spaced housing plates, and guide elements extending therebetween; a pair of slide plates between said housing plates; a pair of keeper levers disposed between said slide plates and said guide elements, and having opposed keeper jaws exposed at an end of said housing plate and portions engageable with said guides to elTect pivotal movement of said keeper levers in response to sliding movement of said slide plates to move said keeper jaws between an open and a closed position;

d. a latch bolt dimensioned to be received between and engaged by said keeper jaws;

e. guide means between said slide plates and said housing plates at the ends thereof remote from said keeper jaws to confine said slide plates to an essentially translatory movement; and

. f. pivotally interconnected lever and link means between said slide plates, said lever and link means also pivotally connected to said housing plates and said slide plates to effect movement of said slide plates and said keeper jaws.

7. A latch, as defined in claim 6, wherein;

a. said guide means includes aligned guide slots in said housing plates and a pin common to said slide plates and extending into said guide slots;

b. a retainer secured to a housing plate is engageable with said pin to secure said latch jaws in their closed position;

c. said lever and link means includes a tool-engageable element to effect movement of said slideplates; and

d. a tool-engaged means is operable to disengage said retainer from said pin.

8. A latch, as defined in claim 6, wherein:

a. said guide means includes aligned slots in said housing plates, and a pin common to said slide plates and extending into said slots;

b. said slide plates, when said pin is in an intermediate position between the ends of said guide slots so positioning said keeper levers relative to their guide elements as to permit mutual pivotal movement of said levers; and

c. yieldable means operable to urge said keeper jaws toward their closed position and permitting, when said pin is inits intermediate position, spreading of said keeper jaws upon forcing said bolt latch therebetween.

9. An opposed jaw latch, comprising:

a. a mounting structure having a pair of guide members;

b. a slide means;

0. means connecting said slide means to said mounting means for reciprocation in a path passing between said guide members;

d. a pair of opposed keeper levers pivotally connected to said slide means and having opposed keeper jaws at their extended ends;

e. mutually engaging means formed by said guide members and said keeper levers for effecting pivotal movement of said keeper levers to open and close said keeper jaws upon reciprocation of said slide means; said mutually engaging means cooperating to hold said keeper levers in a closed position when said slide means is in a predetermined extreme position, to permit pivotal movement of said keeper levers when said slide means is in an intermediate position, and to hold said keeper levers open when said slide means is in its opposite extreme position;

f. yieldable means operable when said slide means is in its intermediate position, to close said keeper jaws;

g. a bolt dimensioned to be received between and engaged by said keeper jaws; and

b. means for reciprocating said slide means.

10. A latch, as defined in claim 9, wherein said reciprocatmg means comprises;

a. a hub journaled in said mounting structure, and having a lever am; and

b. a link pivotally connected to said lever arm and to said slide means to cause reciprocation of said slide means on rotation of said hub.

11. A latch, as defined in claim 10, which further comprises:

a. a restrainer for said slide means secured to said mounting 5 structure operable to hold said slide means on insertion of said bolt between said keeper jaws; and

b. means carried by said hub for rendering said restrainer inoperative.

12. A latch, as defined in claim 9, wherein an operating member is joined to the pivotal connection between said lever and link and extends transversely to said slide means for operating said latch from a remote station.

13. A latch, as defined in claim.9, which further comprises:

a. a lever pivotally connected to said mounting structure;

b. a link pivotally connected to said lever and to said slide means; I

c. a control member joined to the pivotal connection between said lever and link;

d. the connecting means between said mounting structure and said slide means includes a pin and a slot, the slot having a lateral midportion to position said slide means in its intermediate position; and

e. yieldable means tending to retain said pin in the midportion of said slot. 

1. An opposed jaw latch, comprising: a. housing means including a pair of guide elements; b. slide means reciprocable within said housing means; c. a pair of keeper levers having opposed keeper jaws, said keeper levers being pivotally connected to said slide means and pivotably movable by said guide elements, on reciprocation of said slide means, between a mutually open position and a manually closed position; d. a latch bolt dimensioned to be received between and engaged by said keeper jaws; and e. means for reciprocating said slide means, including a lever journaled in said housing means for movement abouT a fixed axis, a link pivotally attached to said slide means and to said lever, and means for guiding said slide member.
 2. A latch, as defined in claim 1, wherein a cross slide is attached to the pivotal connection between said lever and said link to effect rotation thereof and reciprocation of said slide means.
 3. A latch, as defined in claim 1, wherein said guiding means includes a slot in said housing means and a pin extending therein from said slide means.
 4. A latch, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. said guiding means includes a slot in said housing means having a laterally extending midportion and a pin extending therein from said slide means, and yieldable means tending to restrain said pin in said intermediate portion; and b. said yieldable means operable, when said slide means is in an intermediate position determined by said pin to hold said keeper jaws in their closed position, but permitting entrance of said latch bolt therebetween.
 5. A latch, as defined in claim 3, wherein: a. a retainer engages said pin to hold said slide member in a position to secure said keeper jaws in their closed position; b. said lever is tool-engageable for rotation thereby to reciprocate said slide means; and c. a retainer release is carried by said lever and operable, on tool engagement with said lever, to cause said retainer to free said pin.
 6. An opposed jaw latch, comprising: a. a pair of spaced housing plates, and guide elements extending therebetween; b. a pair of slide plates between said housing plates; c. a pair of keeper levers disposed between said slide plates and said guide elements, and having opposed keeper jaws exposed at an end of said housing plate and portions engageable with said guides to effect pivotal movement of said keeper levers in response to sliding movement of said slide plates to move said keeper jaws between an open and a closed position; d. a latch bolt dimensioned to be received between and engaged by said keeper jaws; e. guide means between said slide plates and said housing plates at the ends thereof remote from said keeper jaws to confine said slide plates to an essentially translatory movement; and f. pivotally interconnected lever and link means between said slide plates, said lever and link means also pivotally connected to said housing plates and said slide plates to effect movement of said slide plates and said keeper jaws.
 7. A latch, as defined in claim 6, wherein; a. said guide means includes aligned guide slots in said housing plates and a pin common to said slide plates and extending into said guide slots; b. a retainer secured to a housing plate is engageable with said pin to secure said latch jaws in their closed position; c. said lever and link means includes a tool-engageable element to effect movement of said slide plates; and d. a tool-engaged means is operable to disengage said retainer from said pin.
 8. A latch, as defined in claim 6, wherein: a. said guide means includes aligned slots in said housing plates, and a pin common to said slide plates and extending into said slots; b. said slide plates, when said pin is in an intermediate position between the ends of said guide slots so positioning said keeper levers relative to their guide elements as to permit mutual pivotal movement of said levers; and c. yieldable means operable to urge said keeper jaws toward their closed position and permitting, when said pin is in its intermediate position, spreading of said keeper jaws upon forcing said bolt latch therebetween.
 9. An opposed jaw latch, comprising: a. a mounting structure having a pair of guide members; b. a slide means; c. means connecting said slide means to said mounting means for reciprocation in a path passing between said guide members; d. a pair of opposed keeper levers pivotally connected to said slide means and having opposed keeper jaws at their extended ends; e. mutually engaginG means formed by said guide members and said keeper levers for effecting pivotal movement of said keeper levers to open and close said keeper jaws upon reciprocation of said slide means; said mutually engaging means cooperating to hold said keeper levers in a closed position when said slide means is in a predetermined extreme position, to permit pivotal movement of said keeper levers when said slide means is in an intermediate position, and to hold said keeper levers open when said slide means is in its opposite extreme position; f. yieldable means operable when said slide means is in its intermediate position, to close said keeper jaws; g. a bolt dimensioned to be received between and engaged by said keeper jaws; and h. means for reciprocating said slide means.
 10. A latch, as defined in claim 9, wherein said reciprocating means comprises; a. a hub journaled in said mounting structure, and having a lever arm; and b. a link pivotally connected to said lever arm and to said slide means to cause reciprocation of said slide means on rotation of said hub.
 11. A latch, as defined in claim 10, which further comprises: a. a restrainer for said slide means secured to said mounting structure operable to hold said slide means on insertion of said bolt between said keeper jaws; and b. means carried by said hub for rendering said restrainer inoperative.
 12. A latch, as defined in claim 9, wherein an operating member is joined to the pivotal connection between said lever and link and extends transversely to said slide means for operating said latch from a remote station.
 13. A latch, as defined in claim 9, which further comprises: a. a lever pivotally connected to said mounting structure; b. a link pivotally connected to said lever and to said slide means; c. a control member joined to the pivotal connection between said lever and link; d. the connecting means between said mounting structure and said slide means includes a pin and a slot, the slot having a lateral midportion to position said slide means in its intermediate position; and e. yieldable means tending to retain said pin in the midportion of said slot. 